VEAC has been conducting an investigation into public land around the Wombat, Wellsford, Mount Cole and Pyrenees Range forests since 2017.

The council is expected to publish a draft proposal paper at the end of August. No recommendations have been published to date from the investigation.

Read more: Bush users plan rally against VEAC investigation in central Bendigo

Head executive of the Bush Users Groups United Bill Schulz said he was concerned that if VEAC did recommend Wellsford State Forest be re-classified activities in the park would be restricted.

Mr Schulz is also president of the Central branch of the Prospectors and Miners Association.

While VEAC’s report has not been released, Mr Schulz was confident there would be changes to regulation.

Tourism would suffer if state forests were classified as National Park because it would restrict visitors’ activities, Mr Schulz said.

Mr Schulz feared most for those who would have to rely on firewood for heating. Firewood collection is not permitted in National Parks.

“We’re fighting for the regional towns who depend on the people who come up to spend their money, so they in turn can survive,” he said.

“Please just leave our parks alone.”

Nationals Candidate for Bendigo East Gaelle Broad, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party member Daniel Young addressed the crowd.

Read more: Fire risk concerns over Wellsford Forest

VEAC states that the purpose of its investigation is to identify and evaluate the condition and use of the land, and make recommendations for use and management arrangements.

The City of Greater Bendigo made a submission to the council in 2017 that the Wellsford State Forest be protected under the National Parks Act.

The submission argued that classifying Wellsford as a National Park would protect habitat of threatened plants an animals, as well as conserve the area for the use of the community.

That people would no longer be able to collect wood from the forest would have a minimal impact on low income earners, according to the city’s report.

The city pointed to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures which showed that just 3.4 percent of Australia’s lowest income earners used wood for heating, compared to 12 percent of the highest income earners.